Earlier this spring we worked with a video production company to produce a piece that will air this fall. Leading Edge is a web based educational site that features stories on various aspects of the American way of life. I love this kind of stuff and find it fascinating to try and analyze Sun City and what makes us unique. In preparation for the production they asked us to write an overview for the shoot so we could script the shots to fit the storyline. I volunteered to craft together answers to the 12 page questionnaire, or at least for the basic storyline backdrop. Below is the copy but I will forewarn you, it is very long. For those of you interested in Sun City, enjoy: In laymen's terms, please provide an overview of your educational message: Sun City AZ is a fascinating place and without question there are a number of directions we could go regarding an educational message. There are two obvious choices: The Del Webb story/connection would be intriguing for history buffs and people interested in those who left their mark on the country. The next choice would be even better given the fact Sun City AZ was the first of its kind age restricted community complete with amenities. Add in the genius of Webb’s employees who built it, and it’s a story board that attracts a significant following; especially given Sun City AZ was destined/predicted to fail by the experts. In my humble opinion, those stories have been told time and time again. While both make great theatre, I think there’s more to the community than either of those things. As I have thought about the whole of Sun City AZ, I see an untold story that has been often neglected; at least in the total of our 54 years in existence. There are two college theses written on Sun City AZ and several books. There are a dozen magazines from the 60’s that documented the community’s explosive growth and the pitfalls of moving to the middle of the desert at a time when leaving one’s family was considered a sacrilege. Virtually all of the writing focuses on the “pioneers.” The people who left it all behind and helped shape Sun City AZ. Those pioneers are the nexus of the untold story, but it really moves from a single dimension to a multiple. I’ve framed it in the concept of a trilogy, a three part story that is ongoing yet today. We know Sun City AZ is 54 years in the making and consequently, it breaks down into the aforementioned three part series: Part 1 is the first 18 years; the pioneers who came here and built the community in conjunction with the Del E. Webb Corporation (DEVCO). Part 2 is the second 18 years; those who led us though the transitional period of a community where DEVCO no longer held our hand and we had to fend for ourselves. It was a time where the infighting over direction was abundant and critical to where we are today. Part 3 is the final 18 years and perhaps the most poignant. The brilliant amenity package we were given was aging and how to replace, repair or watch them crumble hung in the balance. Rather than looking at each part as its own entity, we need to understand how they have worked in concert with one another. That with every step in the process, it’s been the people who ultimately made it happen. The creation of Sun City AZ was an exercise in hits and misses and with every misstep was a resiliency that tells the tale of why Sun City AZ is what it is today. Perhaps of more importance is the fact we’ve done it on our own…and therein lays the overriding message in this production. At a time when government intervention is common place, we have done without. At a time when we have politician’s pandering to be our salvation; we have none (save at the state and national level). At a time when organizations, churches and groups are faltering due to lack of volunteers or members; we are actively growing stronger. At a time when municipalities, cities and states are near bankruptcy; Sun City AZ is financially stable and lives with no debt (and in all likelihood, never will). To the point of the idea of a trilogy, no one era or group made it happen. It’s been an ongoing historical evolution by those living here from the very beginning. It’s been the dedication over the decades of those willing to take the time to insure those coming along behind them understood the importance of ownership. Living in and loving Sun City AZ wasn’t enough, you had to be willing to give back or Sun City AZ would simply cease to exist as we know it. That’s such a compelling story in a time when we (our country) are struggling to find its way. They say all politics is local, and in our case, it truly is. I laughingly joke that what goes on outside our white walls is immaterial and while that is a silly notion; what goes on inside our walls is all within our grasp to deal with. Where else do average men and women have the ability to make that kind of impact? Sun City’s story is incredible on so many different levels, but this is the one that has had the most impact on me. One could argue Sun City AZ is almost communal and should be attractive to liberals; or one could say that Sun City AZ is a structure that has pulled itself up by its own bootstraps and was built for conservatives. The reality is that no matter what ones political leanings are, those moving to Sun City AZ have almost always developed an amazing love affair. I’ve written a hundred times Sun City AZ is a sum total of its parts. What makes it truly special is there are so many moving parts it is almost impossible to define. As we move forward on this project, my/our goal should be to showcase the one piece that makes us different; a self-governed, self reliant community where those buying here are the ones charged with preserving our future. Sun City AZ is an anomaly, a throwback to a different era: A place in time where the pace of life was slower, less frantic; a place where neighbors were more than the people who live next door; a community where people come together to be a part of something very special. The adage, “enjoy the journey, not the destination” is almost the perfect description of Sun City AZ except we are both the journey and the destination…an end game to a life well lived. What are the key ideas that contribute to the use or unique aspect of the education? The very concept of a community that runs itself is foreign to virtually everyone that visits Sun City AZ. At the very minimum, a dozen different organizations contribute to the community’s success and each is operated in part or in total with volunteers from the community. 126 clubs function every day of the year, all with members/volunteers who keep them working. The point being Sun City AZ is self-governed, self-reliant and self-sufficient. Who are the most important people to educate? Our target market is the boomers. That said, we have found people of virtually every age and demographic that visit Sun City AZ to be both intrigued and enticed by what we have to offer. It’s that kind of community and while we are age restrictive, those planning for retirement can buy a property here at any age. What is the most important message that your company would like to convey in the documentary? Sun City AZ offers those 55 and older a different way of life. Webb called it a “new way of life” in the 60’s. After 54 years, it may not be new but for those of us living here, most find it far better than what goes on outside our walls. It’s quieter, cleaner and less stressful way to live. That is the message we want people to understand. Is there any interesting anecdote or inspiration behind the development of your organization? Sun City AZ exploded on the scene in 1960. It was so successful in the first year the company immediately opened identical operations in Florida and California. By 1964 DEVCO was on the ropes and our future looked bleak. Del Webb brought in John Meeker to run the Sun City AZ operation and was in fact our salvation. He understood that if Sun City AZ and the company that built it didn’t work in concert with one another it would never succeed. John worked tirelessly to build a sense of community and that became the foundation for Sun City’s success. To this day, a sense of community is still one of our core values. What are the most important hot topics or issues in your field, or company, related to the project and message? Without question, every age restricted community is searching to find the key to attracting the massive boomer population to their newest project or development. They typically have more disposable income and the newer properties are building bigger, grander designs appealing to those deeper pockets. We find it an interesting contrast to be able to appeal to that same population by showcasing Sun City AZ as an age restricted community with something to offer that is more intangible than tangible…value and values that have endured for 50 plus years. Please continue to the remainder of this article in the pot immediately below:
Here is the conclusion: What are the controversial subjects or issues in your field (related to the project)? Where does your organization stand on those issues? Should the issues be addressed or avoided in this production? Andrew Blechman wrote in his book Leisureville of the horrors of age restricted living. While primarily focusing on the Villages of Florida, he also took some cheap shots at Sun City AZ. He is by no means the only critic of this type of living. Generally speaking, those who dislike it tend to focus on how “selfish” those living in them are. What I find so interesting is that, at least in Sun City AZ, nothing could be further from the truth. In Sun City AZ, residents give back millions of hours a year. The other issue that is often ignored in age restricted communities is how an aging population gets by. In Sun City AZ, while we don’t showcase the fact people get old, we understand it and have built resources to help those who need it. I have always been a strong proponent of addressing challenging issues straight on. Ignoring them suggests there are no answers and the critics are right. That is hardly the case here in Sun City AZ. What future trends do you see your company having an impact on your field? The most obvious is the societal changes regarding how much longer boomers will be working in life. Sun City was built as a retirement community and is/was reliant on people having more leisure time. For many of the newer, smaller age restricted communities, they do not have an infrastructure based on volunteerism. We also know many of those working later in life will be doing it from home or on a part time basis, just because they like to stay busy. Boomers also want to stay active and the more options they have the better served they will be. Finally, aging well and having access to quality medical facilities is another in the top three agenda items from boomer surveys and obviously those wants all translate into the trends that will become more predominant as the boomer population buy into age restricted living. How are you planning to address these trends? It’s almost unfair to answer this question; because the reality is, Sun City AZ has been shaping the community for years in preparation for what is now happening. Even though we are amenity rich, the boomers who are continuing to work and choose to buy here will love it. Sun City is 7 miles long and 3 miles wide. We are a walled community, but not gated. Within those 20+ square miles we have 7 recreation centers and 8 golf courses. What that means is that no matter where they live, there is an amenity within minutes of their home. After a busy day of work, whether you jump in the golf car, climb on the bike or walk, you don’t have to go far to go. We are in the process of encouraging clubs to be open later and on weekends so those still working will have access more hours of the week. Perhaps of greater significance Sun City AZ has incredible potential for those wanting to find work. Within the community are 16 shopping centers, a hospital, hundreds of medical offices and the RCSC employs 330+ people, 65% of which are Sun City residents. Employment opportunities are plentiful and how nice is it (if you have to or want to work) to be able to do it close to home? It was a community built for convenience and even given the changes we are seeing, it all fits nicely into an aging process where we try and take the stress out of the daily grind. As mentioned above, Sun City AZ was built knowing the aging process included problems that weren’t always pretty. Sun City’s greatest growth (1968-1978) happened when plans for the hospital began (1968) and the hospital opened in 1970. Since that time hundreds of medical offices have opened in Sun City AZ and all within minutes of anyone living here. In other age restricted communities you just won’t find that kind of access. Growing old has always been a concern and in Sun City AZ, we’ve tried to take some of the angst out by creating more convenient services. Boomers tend to be more forward thinking when it comes to preventative maintenance and our huge array of medical facilities, awesome recreation centers with remarkable workout rooms and incredible numbers of sports clubs will help boomers age well. Throw in another hundred clubs of a more cerebral approach and the possibilities for staying both mentally and physically active are limitless. And let’s not forget the opportunity for residents who want to stay engaged and involved to volunteer at a dozen organizations and 31 churches within the walls even if they still are working. It’s a community originally built for retirees, but as society has changed, so will we. We like to say we can’t stop change, but we most assuredly can manage it. We are and will market Sun City AZ as the community that offers more to boomers simply because we have the convenience and quality of life that makes living here a little simpler, a little slower paced and much more attractive than where they came from. How does it get better than that? Love to hear your thoughts.
This is great! Are there videos of Sun City AZ or its residents on YouTube? If there are, would be nice to have links from the SunCityAz.org website.
As Mr. Welk used to say "Wunerful, Wunerful!" I volunteer at the SC Visitor Center and have noticed an increase in the number of boomers interested in moving here. Within the last month there were several who had just purchased homes. The Visitor Center has a room where you can watch a video of SC. And I think you can purchase a cd. The Center will only be open in the morning during the summer. Just as an afterthought, why does Sun City West refer to itself as "Arizona's Premier Active Adult Golf Community"? Doesn't "premier" mean "first"? And isn't Sun City the "premier"? I'm considering asking that question in the "Vent" column of the local newspaper.
Also, Sun City has 8 golf courses and SCW only has 7. And, SC has more clubs than SCW. Actually, I get tired of SCW always have something in the local paper. Maybe I shouldn't say it, but I think they are a bunch of whiners.
The Leading Edge videos will not be available till this fall. There are some pretty good short video's we shot on the Sun City marketing website located here. As far as Sun City West, it is the closest community to Sun City AZ there is. Though by the time it opened, the corporation (DEVCO) had already begun to make some changes to it structurally. It's a fine community and was one of the ones we shopped before finally settling on Sun City AZ. They do have one problem in Sun City West: The last several years they have had to take significant increases in rec fees. There was a time when their yearly fee was close to ours, but today there is a measurable difference.
You are not along Emily. I was born a few (well, maybe more than a few) years ahead of you and I hope not to have to work, but reality is the economy has not been kind to any of our retirement accounts. Add that to a few years of struggling to get work in the high tech industry in CO and reality sets in. My son watches my account for me at UBS. I'm thankful because the team he works with has done a great job with keeping me on a reasonable path to retirement. I suspect I will have to work part time for a few more years after official retirement age, but hopefully not too long. When I plug the numbers into the retirement calculator I'm glad I don't drink.
And when you do retire, the pace gets even better. I do something nearly every day if only to go to the library.
These comments are spot on as to why we need a dialogue about the long term future of Sun City. The good old days of defined benefit plans allowing people to retire at a decent age are becoming less the norm and that fact alone should signal community leaders to aggressively plan for the future. Sun City's entire infrastructure was built around retirees...seniors with more time on their hands than money in their pockets. The tragedy of failing to plan is that when things begin to change, we start to scramble and make hasty decisions rather than ones well thought out. Look, it isn't rocket science and there are no clear cut answers; but if you refuse to open your eyes and understand what is going on, you leave yourself vulnerable. My experience over the two and a half years I've served on the RCSC board has left me stunned that smart people are unwilling to be more forward thinking. Thank goodness back in 1999 the RCSC board of directors had the courage and the wisdom to pass the Preservation and Improvement Fund (PIF). Without that, Sun City would be in a world of hurt.
I couldn't agree more Emily...we (the RCSC) should be "data mining" that information. Every new buyer should be courted and solicited to provide us with as much information as they are willing to share. Over the next 5 years 10,000 plus homes will change hands; imagine how much data we could have to help prepare for the coming changes.
I've posted here and in other web sites about our search for a retirement community. Spent a week in AZ this past June staying in 3 communities (Festival, Anthem at Merrill Ranch and Quail Creek south of Tucson). After reading the "Script" above I came to realize my approach may be all wrong. Instead of looking for a community that can do something for me perhaps I should be thinking about what I can do for a community (thank you JFK). Perhaps it would be a better retirement condition to be part of something bigger like Sun City. Thank you BPearson for opening my eyes!
If you go to the Sun City Visitor Center, there is a room where you can watch a movie about Sun City. A CD is also available for purchase.
Hey R, thanks for the kind words. The thing I've come to realize is every age restricted community is special to someone. That's why the new ones that are for sale by developers always have some form of Play and Stay. They know people that visit find themselves feeling like they are on a permanent vacation. Nothing wrong with that for sure, but Sun City has always offered that little extra. In the end, do you want to play the rest of your life away, or do you want be a part of something that offers the chance to still be involved and engaged?
Hey Emily: Two different videos, but here is a link to the one from the Museum. It was produced in 1962 and called The Beginning. Part 1. Part 2. The video is 22 minutes long in total but it is a stitch and well worth the time.
